IT was the role hundreds of youngsters wanted when they heard that the award-winning Walt Disney production of Beauty And The Beast was coming to Manchester.

IT was the role hundreds of youngsters wanted when they heard that the award-winning Walt Disney production of Beauty And The Beast was coming to Manchester.

Producers invited children in the area to audition, and the three the producers decided fitted the bill perfectly were Joseph Barratt, aged 10, from Woodley, Stockport; Charles Butcher, eight, of Bollington, Macclesfield; and Ashley Margolis, nine, of Whitefield, Bury.

They will take turns playing a teacup called Chip when the show opens at the Palace Theatre on October 24.

General manager Colin Ingram said: "We were looking for a talented young boy with a great voice and a magical presence who could bring the character of Chip to life. The criteria were quite strict. The boys had to be aged eight to 10, between 3ft 8in and 4ft 2in tall, with a good singing voice."

Joseph, who already has a number of stage appearances to his credit, including musicals and operas, said: "I'm really excited about getting the part, which I will have for 20 performances before it is passed on to somebody else. The first day I appear in the show - on December 3 - will be special because it will also be my tenth birthday."